Operating Officer - Retail

Job Advert Summary

• Spec-Savers South Africa is looking for a commercially astute, operationally sharp retail leader to help shape the next chapter of one of South Africa's most recognised optometry and audiology franchise networks.
• This is not a caretaker role. It is a demanding senior management appointment for someone who can sit close to the Group Chief Operations Officer, translate strategy into disciplined execution, and lead a young, high-performing team through growth, complexity and commercial trade-offs.
• The Operating Officer - Retail will lead the consumer-facing and franchise-facing engine of the business: franchise operations, retail performance, RSP governance, store growth, retail finance and digital enablement. The mandate is simple to describe and hard to execute: strengthen franchisee profitability, improve customer and store outcomes, and build a retail operating model that can scale.

The Mandate

• Own the retail commercial agenda, including retail selling price, franchisee economics, promotions, customer value and store performance.
• Lead and support the retail leadership team across operations, finance, medical equipment, shopfitting, IT enablement and audiology.
• Work closely with the Group Chief Operations Officer and other Group Chief Officers to convert Group strategy into practical retail execution.
• Partner with the Operating Officer - Distribution so stock availability, cost inputs, product range and retail pricing work together without duplicated ownership.
• Drive franchisee trust through consistency, commercial credibility, operational support and clear communication.
• Use data, market insight and financial discipline to identify growth opportunities, underperformance and the interventions required.

Minimum Requirements Experience we are looking for

• 8-10+ years' senior leadership experience in retail, franchising, multi-site operations, healthcare retail, FMCG or a related commercial environment.
• Strong understanding of franchise systems, retail pricing, store economics, customer experience and performance improvement.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams across operations, finance, IT, projects or franchise support.
• A relevant tertiary degree in Business Management, Retail Management, Commerce, Operations, Finance or a related field.

Success looks like

• A clearer, more disciplined retail commercial model with strong RSP governance.
• Improved franchisee confidence, store performance and network support.
• Retail teams that are aligned, accountable and growing in capability.
• Commercial decisions that balance customer value, franchisee profitability and Group sustainability.
• If you are energised by commercially complex retail, franchisee relationships, high standards and the chance to help build something stronger from inside an already successful national network, this role will ask a lot of you - and give you the platform to make a visible difference.

Duties and Responsibilities What this role requires

• Commercial judgement: You understand RSP, margin, franchisee return, competitor positioning, affordability and the difference between revenue that looks good and growth that lasts.
• Retail operating discipline: You know how to improve store performance through standards, rhythms, regional support, projects and accountability.
• Franchise network sensibility: You can influence owner-operators through trust and evidence, not title or authority.
• People leadership: You can stretch a young, capable team while keeping standards high, decisions clear and energy constructive.
• Execution under complexity: You are comfortable making trade-offs across pricing, growth, customer experience, store projects, support costs and stakeholder expectations.

What this is not

• This is not a purely strategic role removed from the realities of franchise operations.
• This is not a role for someone who only manages through reports and meetings.
• This is not an executive title appointment; it is a senior management role with real influence, real accountability and close exposure to Group leadership.
• This is not a retail role where pricing, customer experience and franchisee economics can be treated separately.

Deadline:2nd August,2026